What is the effect of adding cream to one's coffee as opposed to adding coffee to one's cream? Will melting ice cause a glass to overflow all on its own? Why was what Pascal did with a ladder misleading? Grimwall (physics, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm) starts with a few simple concepts and applies them to what we at first believe to be common sense problems, proving that physics is often counter-intuitive. He helps students think critically and apply science to what become increasingly complex problems, rather than come to a snap answer, the result being a thoroughly enjoyable romp through easily applicable truths, math-less wonders, questions with just a touch of the mysterious, forces and currents beyond our controllable but compatible with an informed mind, approximation, and questions that challenge creativity as well as understanding of basic physics. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)